Anyone own a landscaping company?

Question:I can do a lot of various things in the yard. I am now just starting on cutting peoples grass. I get asked to do other things like weeding, triming, etc. I obviously cannot handle tons of clients. There is a lot of customers in this area. What is the basics of starting up? Any suggestions?

Answers:
Get some education in plant health care and business. This means more than just reading FindHomeAnswers! Contact your local community college, they usually offer courses in business entrepreneurship (starting your own business) and gardening, plant health care, or lawn maintenance. Check the local botanical gardens, arboretums, and University Extension Services. They also may offers course or seminars that will help you. Even the local suppliers run free seminars in spring. Get some experience. Work for another landscape maintenance company to learn. Always work for someone else for on-the-job training. It's better to make your mistakes working for someone else than when you own your own company. The most important marketing tool you will ever have is your reputation and word-of-mouth advertising. Anyone can get a few jobs if your cheap and willing to work hard, but this will not sustain you or your company. 9 out of 10 new landscaping companies go out of business within two years. Get an edge on your competition, get an education. Good luck.